THE GOSPEL (The Good News) Part 3

“When
I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son
of man that you care for him?(Psalm
8:3-4)

The
God kind of life [Eternal life]

Very
few people can rise to the level of spiritual issues. Yet as earthly beings we
were wired to easily discern, perceive and communicate with the Creator. God
created us in a way that should make us receptive to His voice, His promptings,
even His thoughts. He put His Spirit in us, by making us in His own image; so
that our spiritual sensors may be sensitive to His presence and do His bidding.

When
God created man (humanity), he gave him authority and dominion over all that He
had created. “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all
the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis
1:26) A direct communication channel was established. Man was not left to
wander in the Garden of Eden, lost, without a spiritual compass.

Everything
was at his disposal for his benefit except that he was not to eat of the fruit
of the tree in the middle of the garden. God had stipulated: “You are free to
eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
(Genesis 2:16-17) Man’s death could have
been averted if the couple had obeyed God and had not listened to the devil’s
deception.

The
human race thus moved away from God’s ‘blanket cover’ and his sensors failed to
capture God’s instructions or voice. The relationship was broken and man was
left on his own. He would have to fend for himself. Henceforth complete
breakdown in communications characterised the relationship between Creator and
his creation. Everything seemed to be spinning on a downward spiral but not all
was completely lost. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Can a mother forget the baby at
her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may
forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you in the palms of my
hands; ..” (Isaiah 49:15-16)

As
tripartite beings, operating in three dimensions, --- spirit, soul and body ---
Adam and Eve, our great, great ancestors were sensitive to God’s presence
around them. They had therefore no excuse to fall prey to the serpent’s lies if
it had not been for greed or lust for power. “For God knows that when you eat
of it [the forbidden fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3: 5) “Then when the woman saw that the fruit
of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for
gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.” (Genesis 3:6)

The
fall of Man

Man’s
feelings and not God’s instructions became the yardstick governing the
relationship. Sadly, Man listened to another voice and believed it rather than
that of its Creator. This act of disobedience constituted the downfall of the
entire human race.

God
has a plan

God
instituted the plan of redemption to rescue man from his fallen state. God
needed an agent to replace Adam. But all the way to Noah, they failed Him
equally. He then found Abraham – one who was ready and willing to work with
Him. Most of all He decided to send His only begotten Son to bring relief to
the human race. By so doing He would address the problem of sin once and for
all. His ‘treasured possession’ would then be able to live with Him in paradise
forever. There would be no separation. His elect would be gathered to Him from
across the globe to sojourn in eternity. The worries of sin and death would be
over and dealt with for good.

Everyone
who accepts the price His Son, Jesus Christ, paid for sin to be done away with
will have access to the kingdom of God. All those who would renounce their
allegiance to the devil will rapture with the Saviour at His second coming. The
sons and daughters of God will make their abode in heaven where rooms have been
reserved for them. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the
dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His
people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every
tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or
pain, for the old order of things has passed away. ‘” (Revelation 21:3-4)

Life
after death is the greatest news of the Gospel of Christ. Sorrow is banished;
God’s people will bask in His divine presence. What a joy it would be to dwell
in God’s presence forever! The opportunity is open to all who make a
commitment. The time is now. It is during our sojourn on earth that we should
prepare for this eventuality. Welcome to the banquet feast!

A
rich young ruler asked Jesus the requirements for inheriting eternal life.
After hearing the answer, he turned and left because Jesus told him “If you
want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you
will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.“ (Matthew 19:21) He went
away sad, because he had great wealth. Wealth is not a criterion for entry into
God’s kingdom; it is not for sale. It is freely given to all who take up their
crosses and voluntarily follow Him.

Contemplate
on making this choice in 2018. You have delayed it for too long. Choose the
God-kind of life promised to all who come to Him.

“Your
sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be
your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.” (Isaiah 60:20)